.257 Roberts

R

Ray VonAsch

New member
I've been deer hunting and varmint shooting with this cartridge for 30 years. Although not to the exclusion of others (.35 Rem in the thick stuff ) I've been real satisfied. I do handload so my ballistics are better than most factory loads. Any input, or other fans? Is it time to move on? TIA Ray

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I am also a fan of the .257 Roberts. I bought a Win Mod 70 Featherweight for my son to use as his first gun when he is old enough to hunt. My buddy also bought the same rifle after he shot mine. I don't reload but have used the Hornady Light Mag loads and enjoyed the results. While it will never be an "all around" gun, it should work well on antelope, deer and coyotes.
 
A buddy of mine shot a deer with a .257 Roberts with handloads that I made up for him, for his Winchester Model 70 Lightweight. One shot did it all. I used the 117 gr Hornady BTSP with IMR 4350 powder.
I think the .257 Roberts is an ideal deer & large varmint round. It was a popular wildcat made from the 7mm Mauser case. Early factory loadings were low-power, suitable for the 1893 Mauser action. Today's "plus P" (for modern high strength actions) factory rounds are much better performers, treading on the heels of the 25-06. Even more impressive is the .257 Ackley Improved, which is strictly a custom round.
Popularity of the .257 Roberts fell off after the .243 Winchester was introduced. It's no 30-06, but it doesn't kick like one either and can be shot comfortably in light sporters.

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God and soldiers, we adore
In times of danger, not before
With the danger safely righted
God is forgotten, and soldiers slighted
 
Unless you're wanting to "move on" to specialty varmint hunting, or way-out-yonder larger deer and elk, you're already home!

:), Art
 
Thanks for all replies, guess you all agree with me. The only failure I can recall with this round was with a 120 gr. Nosler from Federal at too close a distance (about 20 yds.) The bullet failed to expand at all, and went straight thru . Second shot was lucky at uphill running buck, and hit backbone between shoulders. I think I,ll keep it. Thanks again, Ray
 
A friend just bought a 257 Roberts in Remington M700. He is having a hard time finding a load that will get him below MOA. He has been using IMR4350 with 120gr. Nosler Partitions and 100 gr Sierra SBTs. Is IMR4350 too slow burning for these light bullets? Any advise would be welcome. Thanks.
 
Does anyone have any insight as to whether I should use the Nosler Ballistic Tip in 100 grs or 115 grs. I have seen loads for both. Deer will probably not exceed 120-170 pounds. I have loads with 117 gr Hornady interlocks but my main question is to the effectiveness of the 100 grainers. Too light? Would like the extra velocity, but would that be too high and cause rapid fragmentation (3300+ fps)?
 
I have had very good results with both 100 gr Sierra Spitzer flat base and 100 gr Ballistic Tips with IMR 4350 powder. I use an old (1974?) Ruger 77-S that I got used over 25 years ago. All those loads go under an inch at 100 yards.

I'm not at home so don't have my load notes, but loads are fairly warm but under max.

Best regards,
Johnny

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---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
 
BMiracle: I've used 85-grain Sierra HPBT in my .243 for about 20 deer. I'd guess the deer dressed out around 110 or so; 150-160 on the hoof. I'd think the Nosler's jacket in the 100-grain wouldn't shred all that bad, if at all.

Heck, just take a couple with neck shots and autopsy the bullet path...

FWIW, Art
 
Thanks guys for that info. I guess if the deer are a little bigger I will just take a neck shot. Will probably be extremely effective.
 
I still don't understand why people want to use BT's on big game. I know they tend to group well, but for hunting bullets isn't terminal performance [ie inside target] more important than exterior ballistics?
 
Ballistic Tips come in two varieties-Varmint and Hunting. The varmint Ballistic tips have thin jackets designed for immediate expansion and fragmentation. The hunting Ballistic Tips have thicker jackets designed for more controlled expansion. They are designed for rapid expansion to a controled point in order to dump a lot of energy fast. I feel the game bullets are great on deer-sized game where there is not much size. My 30-'06 has dropped whitetails where they stand using 150 grain Ballistic Tips. Penetration was completely through. Rapid transfer of energy will shock an animal for a quick death. I personally would not use them on anything bigger than white-tails. For muleys I will stick to the good ol' Partitions. Accuracy to me is just a bonus because they just work so well as far as terminal performance goes. The new breed of Ballistic tips are much better than the older ones. Even better yet is Hornady's SST (Super Shock Tipped). These are similar to the Ballistic Tips but IMHO the Interlock wrong provides the same shock but with better weight retention. I guess it is just "new school" vs "old school". Shoot whichever bullet you are comfortable with and have confidence in. I fully believe in these polymer tipped bullets.

[This message has been edited by BMiracle (edited September 19, 2000).]
 
I had one years ago built on a 98 Mauser action. I still kick my but every day for trading it! :D Its a DGR (damn good round)!

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Carlyle Hebert
 
Glamdring, with one exception, I've noted no difference in performance between my Sierra BTs and any other bullets I've used in either '06 or .243...

FWIW, Art
 
Glamdring, with one exception, I've noted no difference in performance between my Sierra BTs and any other bullets I've used in either '06 or .243. And, as near as I can tell, the advantage is not in better accuracy, but in a bit better trajectory at longer ranges. If the only buck I see after 16 days of ground-pounding is out at 400 or so yards, I want all the help my '06 can get.

FWIW, Art
 
I didn't think Mule Deer were any bigger than the white tails around here [Midwest]? Maybe bigger on average? I haven't hunted Mule deer yet.
 
Glamdring, generalizing, mule deer skin is a bit thicker than whitetail; the bones are a bit heavier. And, for whatever reason, they don't seem to be affected as much by "shock" as whitetail.

As to the "shock" thing, I've hit a very few whitetails a bit farther back than I wanted; they'd hit the ground and then get up, run a short distance and die. I've hit a couple of mule deer the same way. They hump up in the middle, look insulted and take off at about half-speed--acting as if they'll quit a day or two later...Damfino.

FWIW, Art

"There's no such thing as ALWAYS, with deer."
 
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